Christian Peregin
Fears of migrant invasion 'totally unfounded'
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici deems fears of a different race taking over Malta is "totally unfounded", citing statistics showing most of them want to leave.
He was speaking at a meeting for Nationalist Party grassroots supporters at the PN headquarters in Pietà on Thursday, which was also addressed by the Prime Minister.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the immigrants themselves were being abused by being "packed like sardines" on rickety boats and given only a small and misleading map to help them make their way to Europe.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi stressed that immigration was not just "one of the biggest problems" for Malta but also for the rest of Europe.
However, thanks to the Maltese, the EU had finally started to recognise the problem and was giving Malta the funds it required to continue building on the work it had done in this area.
"Malta is taking all the stands it needs to persuade the EU to take responsibility. The EU cannot let Malta carry the burden alone," Dr Gonzi insisted optimistically.
The Prime Minister said that although repatriation of immigrants was being given the utmost priority by the government, their arrival was being given much more importance by the media. He assured his supporters that from the roughly 10,000 immigrants who arrived since 2002, only some 5,000 remained in Malta.
He said the others had either resettled in Europe or had been repatriated, adding that repatriation was very challenging since it depended on cooperation from the home countries.
Despite being called for the event, the press was asked to leave when the activists were meant to speak so that, in the words of the General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier, they would be able to air their views "serenely".
Earlier, Dr Mifsud Bonnici explained that the vast majority of immigrants wanted to travel to mainland Europe and they were therefore not interested in integrating or staying in Malta. Those who came to Malta were either rescued because they found themselves in distress or had simply lost their way unwittingly.
He emphasised that immigration did not come about because Malta was now in the EU but as the years rolled by new trends developed such as the three large arrivals during this year's winter months.
Compared to other countries, Malta had a disproportionate number of immigrants, requesting and deserving protection. The vast majority came from war-stricken Somalia and Eritrea meaning they automatically qualified for refugee status or subsidiary humanitarian protection.
However, these were also given travel documents, so most of them tried to earn enough money to leave for mainland Europe rather than staying in Malta.
Malta's controversial policy of detaining all arrivals for up to 18 months was essential, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, to control the borders of Malta and Europe, for security reasons.
Even high EU officials who had criticised this detention had begun to agree with Malta when they considered the number of arrivals and the small size of the country.
The minister said that when high EU officials came to Malta he took them on helicopter tours to give them a visual image. When EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot visited he made sure to take him to the "worst areas of the worst detention centres" to show him exactly what the situation was like and to plead for more assistance.
"After I showed him these places he told me to ask for anything, any amount of money, so that this problem could be solved," he said.
He praised Mr Barrot for having the courage to see the detention centres first-hand, as many other politicians were not bothered to do so.
"I have nothing to hide. Whoever wants to come and see what we are doing can come. Whenever foreign journalists ask to enter I tell them to go inside and speak to whomever they want... We never promised to provide five-star accommodation."
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said doing things well and taking rational, rather than emotional decisions, would show the true calibre of the Maltese government in the long run.
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J Farrugia
Apr 5th 2009, 15:26
Facts are much more reliable than damned lies and statistics. Minister MIfsud bOnnici if you are trying to allay the people's fears through statistics which are being fed to you by ngos, then you are leading us to hell and damnation. The people wont forgive and will never forget.
Michelle Dali
Apr 5th 2009, 10:04
"After I showed him these places he told me to ask for anything, any amount of money, so that this problem could be solved,"
Does Jacques Barrot not realise that no amount of money will make the island of Malta larger? More money will only result in taking up more precious space on these islands to be used for open and closed detention centres. We have little enough open spaces where people can go to get away from it all or which could be turned into nature parks and other facilities for outdoor activity. But of course the EU Justice Commissioner lives in France, a hugh country which will never have to face the problems of overcrowding which we are experiencing in Malta, no matter how many illegal immigrants France takes in.
As for the comments by Dr Mifsud Bonnici that 'fears of a different race taking over Malta are totally unfounded', has he forgotten that the EU commissioner recently said that if what is happening in Malta had happened in an ordinary German town, there would be a revolution?
Instead of labelling concerned Maltese people racist and xenophobic, Dr Mifsud Bonnici should do his duty to protect the country.
lgalea
Apr 5th 2009, 08:56
Louis Gialanze
You are perfectly correct.
The doors must be closed again whatever the eu, unhcr and the NGO say and all illegal immigrants expelled from Malta.
If we want to solve our problems the only way is to get out of the eu, screen all those who enter Malta and not allow and foreigners to work in Malta unless all Maltese citizens are working.
It is absurd that we have more than 8,100 foreigners from outside the eu and more than 4,300 workers from the eu taking the work and bread of Maltese workers and their families while we have more than 7,000 Maltese workers laid off and unemployed.
How about the latest order from the eu petty dictators that no crucifixes and other religious symbols must be shown in public places?
This is all the result of eu memberhip.
PMuscat
Apr 5th 2009, 07:17
The extreme pro-EU stand which the PN adopted before Malta's adhesion to the EU has limited Malta's bargaining power within that organisation. The PN painted the EU in rosy colours but failed to highlight its shortcomings too, such as its inertia in international affairs, partly due to the difficulty of reaching agreement among its members. The member states still pursue their own individual foreign policy on the more important issues.
Our government seems to be incapable of persuading the other countries to help solve this problem. Repatriation of illegal immigrants is difficult because their home countries do not cooperate. Malta might not have the diplomatic resources to facilitate this cooperation but what about the other, larger EU states who have much wider and powerful connections?
Is it time Malta took a stronger stand? Can Malta after all spur the EU into action? How? (This is doubtful under a PN government which still tries to downplay the EU's defects!) Maybe the PL's idea of veto is too drastic but will it seem so when the problem escalates? Or is Malta conveniently placed at the EU edge that it's better for the EU to keep things as they are?
carmen caruana
Apr 5th 2009, 01:26
illegal immigrants are invading us, we have to escape to......to where? ohh yeah i forgot we live on the same planet!! We all can live as 1.... we need some help from EU by sharing immigrants and by helping the countries they come from, relax, don't forget we have a recession waiting for us. you will need your energy to survive rather than talking about people escaping from their country becuase of war.
Louis Gialanze
Apr 4th 2009, 19:45
Mr Alvaro Gil - Robes seems to think otherwise. His report clearly indicate that the explosion occured once Malta decriminalized illegal immigration. Moreover, the floodgates were opened by the government of the day in 2002 under pressure from the EU.
Evarist Saliba
Apr 4th 2009, 19:28
The numbers which give rise to justified concern among the Maltese public are the following.
Irrespective of the number of illegal immigrants that have arrived in Malta, and the number who have left in one way or another, is the number of illegal immigrants in Malta on the increase, static, or in decline?
If the number is increasing, does the government envisage the moment when this will start to decline? If not, is this not a development which should concrn the public?
The prime minister is claiming that illegal immigration is one of the biggest problems, not only in Malta but also in the EU. Yet the UNHCR representative in Malta has said that it is not a problem; just problematic, and he called on the government to be honest with the people.
Who is being honest? The prime minister or the UNHCR representative?
Ther fact that these immigrants want to go to mainland Europe is irrelevant as long as we do not help them to fulfill their ambition. Will Italy and the EU allow us to do this?
Charles Grixti
Apr 4th 2009, 18:27
How can the Minster say that the fear of the people of Malta are unfounded, when we are seeing the wholesale invasion with our own eye.s? To say that, flies against the face of reason and common sense.
Statistically, the amount of illegal invaders in Malta is higher than other European countries when you take into consideration the size and our own population density. Talk like that only served to encourages and to invite the thousand that are at the shores of Africa waiting to cross over.
The least I would expect from a Minister that was voted in by the Maltese public is to listen to their concerns and to place above all else the welfare of Malta and its people.
The Minister's first priority and solidarity should be with the Maltese people and not defend these illegal invaders. If all they want to do is run away from their problems at home, then nothing is going to change for them and we are doing nobody a favour by allowing them in.
Denis Catania
Apr 4th 2009, 18:09
The minister said that when high EU officials came to Malta he took them on helicopter tours to give them a visual image. When EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot visited he made sure to take him to the "worst areas of the worst detention centres" to show him exactly what the situation was like and to plead for more assistance.
"After I showed him these places he told me to ask for anything, any amount of money, so that this problem could be solved," he said.
Which might proves us right, money is a big factor and as long as money is flowing from the EU due to the immigration problem, the government will keep their wait and see attitude. Like if we haven't seen enough and waited long enough.
I'm sorry but as a PN supporter. Malta needs big changes. Let's start with this June MEP's election.
d. borg
Apr 4th 2009, 13:09
'Earlier, Dr Mifsud Bonnici explained that the vast majority of immigrants wanted to travel to mainland Europe and they were therefore not interested in integrating or staying in Malta. Those who came to Malta were either rescued because they found themselves in distress or had simply lost their way unwittingly'.
Dear Minister these words are of no consolation to us. The fact remains that they are here and probably will remain here because nobody wants them. That's why detention is a must and repatriation a priority.
Dorianne Mallia
Apr 4th 2009, 12:42
The PM's public relations campaign to be cautiously optimistic is a total failure.
Perhaps it is high time to realise that we no longer believe these PR stunst, Mr. Prime Minister. IF you are unable or unwilling to do anything about this, we will vote in someone who is able and willing to do so ...
After all, this reality, unless tackled is here to stay and to fester; I can assure you that no one will forget very easily when election time comes: whatever promises you make.
louise vella
Apr 4th 2009, 12:04
"Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici deems fears of a different race taking over Malta is "totally unfounded", citing statistics showing most of them want to leave. He was speaking at a meeting for Nationalist Party grassroots supporters at the PN headquarters in Pietà on Thursday".
Speaking to the converted, CMB can say what he likes, especially if outsiders were not allowed to be present to the exchanges from the floor.
But can CMB, as the minister responsible for security, reply blow by blow to the concerns raised by Dr Jose Herrera in an article in The Times this week? Dr Herrera's article was obviously based on inside information, both as regards facts and arguments. Can Dr Mifsud
Bonnici rebut all the security worries that the Maltese people are facing, both in their towns and villages and in the open and closed detention centres?
Kevin Zammit
Apr 4th 2009, 12:01
It is no consolation that 50% remained. The question is not even that but do we want Malta to become the dumping ground for whoever mainland Europe does not want?
It does not take a lot of imagination to realise that any decently educated individual would find it easier to find work on the mainland and I do not blame them if they do leave of course.
Take this scenario which BTW is also what happens in Canada. Immigrants go to Malta, recieve a good education or skills by which time they would have become naturalised enough to travel into Europe.
Is this the sort of scheme Dr. Bonnici is planning for us tax payers?
Are these people who supposedly represent us taking us for idiots or something?
Dr. Bonnici, tell Mr. Barrot that what we need is for him to take to his home country France most if not all those that have been displaced by centuries of imperial meddling by his and countries like his.
Money God willing, we have thank you very much.
louise vella
Apr 4th 2009, 11:24
""After I showed him these places he told me to ask for anything, any amount of money, so that this problem could be solved," he said."
If Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici is naive, I assure him that the common, unsophisticated but thinking people of Malta are not.
Barrot wants to give us money so that we shut up and swallow as many illegal immigrants as they want us to keep. There is a money problem, but the solution is not money. It is to shed the do-gooder mentality that besets people like Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici and listen to what the people are saying.
Why did the recent PN council not hold a workshop on illegal immigrants, out of the five they organised to deal with different problems? For the last 5 years, Gonzi & Co have been trying to stifle the people's concerns about illegal immigrants and pretending that the problem does not exist. Are Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici ready to hold a public consultation process on illegal immigration, or are they afraid of the people's verdict?
F Borg
Apr 4th 2009, 11:11
Most of them want to leave, but:
- nobody will take them...
- they are still here in their thousands in our tiny poor island...
- we stop them on their way out of Malta, to a better future.
... and in the meantime, CMB admits we have a crisis in EU circles, and then claims that everything is under control. What control is this? Summer hasn't even started yet.
Robert Callus
Apr 4th 2009, 10:55
Though I'm not a PN sympathiser, I feel Dr Mifsud Bonnice is treated very unfairly.
Talk is cheap and the Lowells, Muscats (both) and others such as JPO just have the easy job of criticising and proposing ideas that are non-functional.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici's position since he has a big responsibility is far from easy. He has to implement the policy and if what's proposed is illegal or impossible he can't do it.
I'm sure that if people like those mentioned above were in his situation would speak very differently from what they are doing now (except for Lowell maybe)
Muscat.Pat
Apr 4th 2009, 10:40
Everyone agrees that these people should be treated as human beings and given the necessary help. This is what we are doing now; this is on the human level. But, on the political level, that is the government, and the minister Mifsud Bonnici, is failing us and Malta miserably. There are many illegal immigrants in every town and village, but enough is enough. If the Gonzi government has an inferiority complex vis a vee EU politicians, and if it is desperate and cannot find a solution to this invasion, it does not have the right to bully us to submission by inventing excuses, and half truths.This problem is engulfing us all. You either perform, do your duty, defend our small space or resign! There are millions of illegal immigrants wanting to go to Europe, a few more boat loads and their numbers will engulf us all. Its NOT racism, its common sense!
Sandro Pace
Apr 4th 2009, 10:08
As long as the 'want to leave' is translated to 'leaving and no returning', without transforming the island into an ever expanding immigrant centre, then there are little problems.
But reality will be different. Europe will not remain the eternal receiving pool we desire it to be. CMB's long term solution is very short sighted to future generations.
Gonzi should have told Barrot, that any amount of money will not solve the problem and Malta is not for sale. Solving the problem does not mean that immigrants have nice or more accomodations. It will worsen it.
Maltese people should take a political stance and protest against further land taken for open and closed centres. Citing Verheugen to reply to Barrot. As they do abroad.
A Vella
Apr 4th 2009, 09:53
Dr Mifsud Bonnici, if you, the one who should be listening to the people who elected you and do something about the situation, perceive it as normal, and fail to see that yes, it is out of control, please resign and let someone do the task in a more objective manner. The June MEP election will give a clear message, don t worry.
lgalea
Apr 4th 2009, 09:30
Dear CMB, whatever you and the other government mini sters say you are no longer believed.
The vast majority of Maltese citizens want the UNLIMITED DETENTION UNTIL EXPULSION of ALL ILLEGAL immigrants.
What do you call boats with hundreds of ILLEGAL immigrants landing in Malta and thousands more expected during summer?
What do you call the thousands of ILLEGAL immigrants already here?
Being complacent and hiding your head in the sand does not mean that there is no problem or that the problem will go away all by itself.
The vast majority of Maltese citizens want ACTION, by keeping all ILLEGAL immigrants in UNLIMITED DETENTION and their EXPULSION.
This is OUR country.
It is neither the ILLEGAL immigrants country nor that of the NGOs, the eu or the unhcr.